Cambodia - a potential export market

But to exploit this market, businesses need to have a clear strategy, seize opportunities from policies and focus on deeply processed products with high added value.

Introducing goods at the Vietnam - Cambodia Business Trade Conference, August 2025. *Photo: Nguyen Vinh*

Market with large consumer demand

According to Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) Bui Quang Hung, in recent years, the exchange of goods and border trade between Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises has achieved many positive results. Vietnam's main export items to the Cambodian market include processed agricultural products, construction materials, consumer goods, machinery and equipment, fertilizers and plastic products... In the opposite direction, Cambodia mainly exports to Vietnam cashew nuts, rubber, rice, mango, pineapple, papaya, honey... In terms of commodity structure, trade between Vietnam and Cambodia is clearly complementary. Both countries are aiming to reach 20 billion USD in two-way trade turnover in the coming time.

According to the Customs Department, in 2024, the total bilateral trade turnover reached 10.1 billion USD, an increase of 17.5% compared to 2023. In the first 7 months of 2025, the two-way trade turnover reached more than 7 billion USD, an increase of 16.3% over the same period in 2024, of which Vietnam's exports to Cambodia reached 3.2 billion USD, an increase of 5.1% and imports reached 3.8 billion USD, an increase of 28.1%.

In particular, the signing of the Vietnam-Cambodia Bilateral Trade Promotion Agreement for the 2025-2026 period in April 2025 has created a great driving force for trade activities between the two countries by reducing tariffs, improving customs procedures, and enhancing supply chain connectivity. In addition, both countries' participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has contributed to enhancing infrastructure and logistics connectivity and promoting cross-border trade.

Although there are many advantages in Cambodia being a close market, with an open investment environment and strong consumer demand, two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia still faces some difficulties.

Specialist of the Foreign Market Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Ho Thi Khanh Linh said that the border trade infrastructure of the two countries still has many limitations, warehouses, logistics, border markets are lacking and weak, while most transactions are still conducted through unofficial channels, which poses a potential risk of tax loss, difficulty in quality control, and impacts on consumer rights. In addition, smuggling and trade fraud are complicated, especially in products such as sugar, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, etc. These activities not only cause budget losses but also distort the market, reducing the effectiveness of legal trade.

Taking bilateral trade to new heights

General Secretary of the Vietnam Logistics Services Association Tran Chi Dung said that in bilateral trade, in addition to direct trading, transit activities still face many procedures, especially the licensing stage. Specifically, to get approval for a shipment, it is necessary to clearly identify the departure and destination points, but in the investigation stage, the two sides often do not fully share information about location, quantity, price, contract, etc., causing negotiations to drag on and orders to be easily delayed.

Representatives of the Vietnam Logistics Services Association proposed building a “ready corridor” to shorten procedures, reduce the risk of transferring orders from sea to air, increasing costs, or from less feasible road routes, thereby significantly saving logistics costs. At the same time, applying digital logistics will be a breakthrough, ensuring continuous circulation of goods...

Mr. Do Viet Phuong, Vietnam Trade Office in Cambodia, said that besides trade, investment activities are a way to help Vietnamese goods gain a sustainable position. There are currently 5 Vietnamese banks in Cambodia, creating favorable conditions for businesses to access capital. This is a good time to consolidate the market, but to improve the position of Vietnamese goods, businesses need to export high-quality products and conduct careful research to meet local consumer needs.

According to many experts, the two countries need to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination to improve customs and quarantine procedures, shorten clearance times and reduce transaction costs. In addition, encouraging businesses to diversify export products, focusing on deeply processed goods with high added value; promoting trade through fairs, exhibitions and Vietnamese goods weeks in Cambodia will help businesses expand their markets and build sustainable brands.

Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung said that in order for Vietnam-Cambodia trade relations to develop to new heights, it is necessary to determine appropriate cooperation orientations. First of all, the two sides must promote complementarity in commodity structure, form and consolidate value chains in the fields of agricultural products, processing industry, construction materials and consumer goods. At the same time, promote trade promotion through fairs, exhibitions, and annual business forums in both countries to connect and cooperate long-term. In addition, it is necessary to make the most of incentives from trade agreements, coordinate to remove non-tariff barriers, improve competitiveness; develop border trade infrastructure, logistics, e-commerce, digital transformation to reduce costs, increase business efficiency and keep up with global trends...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/campuchia-thi-truong-xuat-khau-nhieu-tiem-nang-714678.html